Will I love The Hot Rock?

Westlake’s criminals bumble their way through the intricately plotted story, which I love. Every time they seem to be successful, something comes along that creates a hairy complication and requires a new plan.

The dialogue between the dimwitted gang members is hilarious in a matter-of-fact way. That is, Westlake reports it straight, and the words and actions of his characters provide the fun. I can’t recommend this author enough. This book is part of the Dortmunder series. Check out all the titles.

Westlake was already a bestselling author of hard-boiled tales of a career criminal named Parker when he created that antihero’s lighter flip side, John Dortmunder, whose compatriots, capers, and consequences all come with some goofy, left-handed conceptual spin. The rock in the title is a famous African emerald, which Dortmunder and his mates set out to boost, only to find themselves having to steal the same gem a second time, and a third—eventually six heists, in all, from progressively impossible fortresses and in progressively outrageous ways. I’m inspired by the whole Dortmunder series’ blend of laugh-out-loud character pieces and genuinely… show more.

One of the first comedy thrillers I ever read. And one of the best. The Hot Rock features John Archibald Dortmunder. A guy with brains, but no luck. Though the failure of some of his jobs might have more to do with his crew. A collection of loveable losers who you can’t help but root for. The overly optimistic Andy Kelp. Stan Murch who lives with his mom in Canarsie. Man mountain Tchotchkus Bulcher. They’re all after a valuable gem in the Brooklyn Museum and manage to steal it and lose it and steal it and lose it and steal… show more.